Safety cover cap for an aerosol container or the like

ABSTRACT

A safety cover cap which presents a unitary appearance and is freely rotatable without affording access to the container contents, but is of plural parts and is separable by simple but deliberate manipulation.

Elte States Eatent 1 1' Markowitz Get. 30, 1973 SAFETY COVER CAP FOR AN AEROSOL 220/39 P, 40

CONTAINER OR THE LIKE [75] Inventor: lsral J. Markowita Closter,NJ. [56] References Cited [73] Assignee: Stem Development Corporation, UNITED STATE S PATENTS New York 3,595,427 7/1971 Markowltz 222/182 3,156,382 11/1964 Michell 222/182 1 Nome: Th6 Pomo" of the term of this 3,170,603 2/1965 Kitterman 222/182 patent subsequent to July 27, 1988, has been dlsclalmed' Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Filed: y 1971 Attorney-Henry A. Marzullo, Jr. and Lilling & Siege] [21] Appl. No.: 141,524

[57] ABSTRACT Related US. Application Data Y A safety cover cap which presents a unitary appear- [63] fgg g s g gg 3: 3 2 33 f ance and is freely rotatable without affording access to a o. an a con mua ion-in-par 1 Y of Ser. No. 19,228, March 13, 1970, Pat. No. the v of and 3 655 100 separable by s1mp1e but deliberate manipulation.

9 Claims, 9' Drawing Figures [52] U.S. Cl

[51] Int. Cl

PATENTEDUBT 30 ms 3" 768.763

INVEN TOR. 1.9641. J. fiAkxow/rz A TTOENEKS SAFETY COVER CAP FOR AN AEROSOL CONTAINER OR THE LIKE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application Ser. No. 850,897, filed Aug. 18, 1969, and entitled Safety Aerosol Cover Cap and Method of Assembly, and is also a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application Ser. No. 19,228,

filed Mar. 13, 1970, and entitled SAFETY COVER CAP FOR AN AEROSOL CONTAINER which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,427 on July 27, 1971 and US. Pat. No. 3,655,100 on Apr. 11, 1972, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a safety closure or cover cap for an aerosol container, or the like, which is highly effective to prevent and deter accidental or unauthorized opening, as by inquisitive children, but which is extremely quick and easy opening for adults and persons having knowledge of the proper opening procedure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety closure for a container, of the type described, which presents a neat and attractive appearance and effectively simulates a unitary or one-piece closure to prevent detection of the opening procedure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safety cover cap or closure having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in structure, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured for assembly with a container by inexpensive mass production techniques.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevationaL view showing a safety closure cap of the present invention in association with an aerosol container, parts being broken away to illustrate the structure with greater clarity.

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view showing the lower region of the upper cap element of the instant cover cap.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the upper cap element of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the lower cap element of the cover cap assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view, with parts broken away, showing a slightly modified embodiment of safety cover cap of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, illustrating the operation thereof.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view, partly broken away, similar to FIG. 6, but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and

specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, a safety closure or cover cap is there generally designated 20, and illustrated in position on a can or aerosol container 21. The container 21 may be conventional, including a generally cylindrical body part 22, and an upwardly tapering portion or conical neck 23. The upper conical neck portion 23 terminates at its upper end in a relatively small, circumferential or annular bead 23. The lower region of the neck portion 23 is formed with an annular or circumferentially extending upwardly facing groove or trough 24, which merges into a relatively large, lower circumferential protrusion or annular bead 25. A discharge valve stem 26 may extend upwardly from the container 21, centrally within the smaller upper bead 23, and may be provided on its upper end with a finger actuable button 27.

The cover cap or closure 20 includes a lower or inner cap element 30, and separably secured thereto an upper or outer cap element 31. The lower or inner cap element 30 may be integrally formed of suitable material, such as plastic, or otherwise fabricated, as desired, and may include a cylindrical side wall 32, and a radially inwardly extending annular flange 33 on the upper edge of the side wall 32. That is, the annular flange 33 of the lower cap element 30 defines a generally flat, circular, centrally apertured top wall on the cylindrical, lower element side wall 32. The annular flange or inner element top wall 33 defines centrally thereof a through aperture 34; and, a plurality of triangular ribs or gussets 35 are arranged in angularly spaced, radial array, each extending interiorly between the side wall 32 and annular flange 33. The ribs or gussets 35 thus effectively stiffen and reinforce the annular flange 33.

Extending peripherally about and projecting radially outwardly from the lower edge of the lower cap element 30 is an annular flange 36, which is provided on its radially outer edge with an upturned peripherally extending lip or cylindrical wall 37 coaxial with and spaced outwardly from the cylindrical side wall 32. The radially outstanding lower edge flange 36 may be pro vided with cutout formations or slots 39 at spaced locations there about. That is, the slots 39 may each extend circumferentially, being arranged in circumferentially spaced relation. Further, a suitable formation, such as a dimple or depression 38 may be formed in the underside of the flange 36, adjacent to and spaced from each slot 39, as best seen in FIG. 1.

The lower annular flange 36 and its upturned lip or wall 37 may be considered together as flange means, providing an effective manual gripping and holding action with respect to the lower cover element 30, as will appear more fully hereinafter. In association with the aerosol can or container 21, the lower cap element 30 has its opening 34 receiving the conical container neck 23, having been snap engaged downwardly past the small upper bead 23 for retention by the latter of the annular flange 33. The lower outstanding flange 36 may extend radially over the upwardly facing container recess or groove 24 and rest on the lower, larger annular container bead 25, see FIG. 1. Thus, the lower cap element 30 is effectively retained against substantial movement longitudinally of the can 21, as well as removal therefrom, while being freely rotatable relative thereto in both a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction.

The upper cap element or closure member 31 may include a generally cylindrical side wall 40 of a diameter suitable for closely spaced circumposition about the exterior of the lower cylindrical side wall 32, and having its lower edge 41 engageable into and removable from the upwardly facing annular channel 42 defined between the side wall 30, lower flange 36 and upturned lip 37. When the lower edge 41 of upper cap element 31 is engaged in channel 42, the upper or outer cylindrical side wall 40 extends upwardly beyond the valve actuator 27, there being provided with an upper end wall or top 42 extending in closing relation across the upper end of the side wall 40. Additionally, a hollow tube-like member or backing element 43 depends from the underside of the top wall 42 having its lower edge abuttingly engageable with the upper surface of the lower cap element annular flange 33.

Carried by lower regions of the upper cap element 31 are a plurality of fastener elements 45 for cooperating interfitting formation with the slots 39 and dimples 38, to define mating fastener elements therewith. More specifically the fastener elements 45 may each be defined by an arm having a depending portion 46 depending from the lower edge 41 of the cylindrical side wall 40. Extending from the lower end of each depending arm portion 46 is a circumferential arm portion 47, which extends a short distance, generally horizontally or circumferentially of the wall 40, being in spaced parallelism with the lower wall edge 41. The upper side of each circumferential arm portion 47 may be provided with a detent formation, tit, or protrusion 48 projecting toward the edge 41.

in the assembled condition of FIG. 1, each fastener element or arm 45 is engaged downwardly through a respective fastener formation or slot 39 to locate the lower, circumferential arm portion 47 beneath the flange 36, within the recess 24. By manually grasping the flange means 36, 37 with one hand, and rotating the upper cap element 31 with the other hand, the depending arm portions 46 are each shifted in their respective slot 39, and the lower arm portions 47 are resiliently deflected downwardly by engagement of the respective I detent 48 with the underside of the flange 36, until each detent snaps into its associated depression 38. This fully assembled condition is shown in FIG. 1. It

will there be appreciated that grasping of either the upper, outer cover element 31, or the lower, inner cover element 30 by its flange means 36, 37 will effect simultaneous rotation of both elements freely about the container 21. However, deliberate relative rotation of the elements will permit of their separation. Such separation can only be effected by persons having adequate coordination and information as to the structure and operation of the safety cap.

Assembly of the safety cap 20 with a container 21 is quickly and easily made by mere snap engagement of the lower cap element opening 34 about the bead 23, the backing member 43 serving to reinforce and stiffen the flange 33 for this assembly operation.

Considering now the slightly modified embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it will there be seen that an upper or outer cap element 31a is similar to the cap element 31, including a cylindrical side wall 40a having a lower edge 41a and being provided on its lower edge .with a plurality of circumferentially spaced fastener elements 45a. Each of the fastener elements 45a may be defined by a resilient, angulate arm having a depending portion 460 depending from the lower side wall edge 41a, and a circumferential portion 47a extending a short distance from the lower end of the depending portion, generally circumferentially of the side wall 310. The free end of the circumferential arm portion 47a is provided with an oblique edge or camming surface 44a, while an upwardly projecting detent or tit 48a is formed on the upper side of the circumferential arm portion 47a as an extension of the cam surface 44a.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 further includes a lower or inner cap element 30a having a cylindrical lower or inner side wall 32a provided on its lower edge with a circumferentially extending, radially outstanding flange 36a, and an upturned lip or wall 37a extending circumferentially about the outer edge of the flange 36a. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the flange 36a does not require cutouts or slots. Rather, a lower region of the cylindrical inner cap element side wall 32a is provided with cooperating fastener formations, such as a radially outward projection 38a. As best seen in FIG. 7, each projection 38a is located for resiliently deflecting engagement with the camming surface or edge 44a of a respective fastener means 45a, whereby the circumferential arm portion 47a is deflected downwardly for a snap engagement of the detent-48a past the projection 38a. In this assembled condition, the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 is operative in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

A slightly further modification is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, wherein a cylindrical side wall 40b of an upper or outer cap element 31b has its lower edge 41b formed with a plurality of cutouts 50. The cutouts are configured to form of the wall 40b an arm 45b resiliently deflectable downwardly, and provided on its free end portion with upwardly projecting detent or tit 48b.

The lower cap element 30b of FIG. 9 may be essentially identical to the lower cap element 30a of FIGS. 6-8, including on a lower region of the cylindrical side wall 32b a radial outward projection 38b for snap engagement with the arm 45b and its detent 48b.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a safety closure or cover cap for aerosol containers and the like which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, neat and highly attractive in appearance, and effectively accomplishes its safety objectives in presenting the physical and ornamental appearance of a unitary structure, while being capable of quick and easy separation by authorized persons.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety cover cap for an aerosol container having an annular bead about a neck opening and an upwardly extending valve actuator communicating with the inside of said aerosol container, comprising: a lower or inner cap element having a cylindrical side wall and a radially inwardly extending annular flange, said flange having an uninterrupted aperture of a size which is capable of being snapped about said annular bead so as to fixedly retain and permanently lock in position said lower cap element to said annular bead while enabling same to rotate freely about said annular bead, radially outstanding flange means having an uninterrupted periphery on the lower edge of said lower cap element side wall for holding engagement by a user, and upper or outer cap element having a cylindrical side wall engageable over said cylindrical side wall of said lower cap element so as to obscure and render less discernable said lower cap element, mating fastener means having mutually cooperatively associated interfltting means on said lower and upper cap elements securing the same together for rotation of said upper cap element with said lower cap element and permitting of detaching said fastener means and removal of only said upper cap element upon relative rotation of said upper cap element while in holding engagement with said lower cap element flange means; and said mating fastener means comprise a plurality of interfitting elements disposed in an equally spaced manner circumferentially of each of said cap elements for mated engagement with each other and interconnecting said cap elements together in a locked position thereby enabling said safety cover cap to be freely rotatable as a combined unitary structure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

2. A safety cover cap according to claim 1, said fastener means comprising a resilient arm extending circumferentially of one of said cap elements, and an interfitting formation of said interfitting means on the other of said cap elements for deflecting said arm and snap engagement therewith on said relative rotation.

3. A safety cover cap according to claim 2, said arm being located below the lower edge of said outer cap element, said flange means having an opening for receiving said arm, and said formation being located on the under side of said flange means.

4. A safety cover cap according to claim 3, said flange means comprising a peripherally extending flange, and a peripherally extending upturned lip on said peripherally extending flange for manual grasping by a user.

5. A safety cover cap according to claim 4, said flange means opening comprising a circumferential slot in said peripherally extending flange, and said formation comprising detent means on said arm and peripherally extending flange.

6. A safety cover cap according to claim 2, said formation being located on said outer cap element side wall for said snap engagement.

7. A safety cover cap according to claim 6, said formation comprising a radial projection, and said arm having an inclined free end edge for resiliently depressible deflection by said radial projection.

8. A safety cover cap according to claim 7, said arm being located below the lower edge of said outer cap element.

9. A safety cover cap according to claim 7, said arm being located in a lower region of said outer cap ele- 

1. A safety cover cap for an aerosol container having an annular bead about a neck opening and an upwardly extending valve actuator communicating with the inside of said aerosol container, comprising: a lower or inner cap element having a cylindrical side wall and a radially inwardly extending annular flange, said flange having an uninterrupted aperture of a size which is capable of being snapped about said annular bead so as to fixedly retain and permanently lock in position said lower cap element to said annular bead while enabling same to rotate freely about said annular bead, radially outstanding flange means having an uninterrupted periphery on the lower edge of said lower cap element side wall for holding engagement by a user, and upper or outer cap element having a cylindrical side wall engageable over said cylindrical side wall of said lower cap element so as to obscure and render less discernable said lower cap element, mating fastener means having mutually cooperatively associated interfitting means on said lower and upper cap elements securing the same together for rotation of said upper cap element with said lower cap eleMent and permitting of detaching said fastener means and removal of only said upper cap element upon relative rotation of said upper cap element while in holding engagement with said lower cap element flange means; and said mating fastener means comprise a plurality of interfitting elements disposed in an equally spaced manner circumferentially of each of said cap elements for mated engagement with each other and interconnecting said cap elements together in a locked position thereby enabling said safety cover cap to be freely rotatable as a combined unitary structure in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
 2. A safety cover cap according to claim 1, said fastener means comprising a resilient arm extending circumferentially of one of said cap elements, and an interfitting formation of said interfitting means on the other of said cap elements for deflecting said arm and snap engagement therewith on said relative rotation.
 3. A safety cover cap according to claim 2, said arm being located below the lower edge of said outer cap element, said flange means having an opening for receiving said arm, and said formation being located on the under side of said flange means.
 4. A safety cover cap according to claim 3, said flange means comprising a peripherally extending flange, and a peripherally extending upturned lip on said peripherally extending flange for manual grasping by a user.
 5. A safety cover cap according to claim 4, said flange means opening comprising a circumferential slot in said peripherally extending flange, and said formation comprising detent means on said arm and peripherally extending flange.
 6. A safety cover cap according to claim 2, said formation being located on said outer cap element side wall for said snap engagement.
 7. A safety cover cap according to claim 6, said formation comprising a radial projection, and said arm having an inclined free end edge for resiliently depressible deflection by said radial projection.
 8. A safety cover cap according to claim 7, said arm being located below the lower edge of said outer cap element.
 9. A safety cover cap according to claim 7, said arm being located in a lower region of said outer cap element. 